Article by:
Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – Malacañang said Thursday Vice President Sara Duterte’s silence could constitute a breach of trust if she had prior information about a possible Middle East crisis but failed to immediately share it with the government.
Speaking to reporters, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Duterte should have informed the Marcos administration, if she had knowledge of a potential conflict as early as 2022.
“So, kung siya’y may alam (if she knew about that) as early as 2022 at hindi man lang niya ito binanggit diretso sa ating mga kababayan, sino ang hindi nagtrabaho? Sino ang walang ginawa (and did not mention it to the Filipino people, then who failed to work? Who did nothing)?” Castro said.
“Kung hindi niya ‘to sinabi (if she did not say anything), definitely this is a breach of public trust. Mayroon po tayong tinatawag na (We have this so-called) nonfeasance, mga taong-gobyernong hindi nagtatrabaho (government workers who are not working).”
Castro’s statement came after Duterte said the government lacked preparation for tensions in the Middle East, even though the threat of war had reportedly been known for years.
She said government officials, such as the Vice President, have the obligation to share critical information with the public and the government, particularly if it concerns national security.
She lamented that Duterte failed to tell Marcos, despite the fact that they were running mates in the 2022 national elections.
Castro said the Vice President should clarify when and where she obtained such information.
“Kung alam niya na po ito, malamang ay mayroon siyang sariling bolang kristal. At dapat ipinaalam niya kung ito ay verified info, nanggaling sa kaniya – dapat ipinaalam niya ito agad sa bansa, ipinaalam niya ito agad sa Pangulo at sa awtoridad (If she already knew about this, perhaps she had her own crystal ball. And she should have informed the country, the President, and the authorities if the information is verified),” she said. (PNA)
Log in with Google